The Oral Roberts baseball team began its 2026 season with a 4-2 loss to Southern Illinois at Chapman Park in Tulsa on Friday. The Golden Eagles, now 0-1 for the season, will continue their series against the Salukis on Saturday.
Starting pitcher Easton Teel was charged with the loss after allowing three runs. Kash Ferris came out of the bullpen and pitched the final 1.2 innings, giving up just one hit. The pitching staff for Oral Roberts recorded four strikeouts, two each from Teel and Weston Rouse.
Southern Illinois started strong with an RBI single in the first inning. Martell Davis put Oral Roberts ahead briefly with a two-RBI single to left field in the bottom of the second inning, making it 2-1 for the Golden Eagles. However, SIU responded quickly by tying the game with a solo home run in the third inning and taking a 3-2 lead with another solo homer in the fourth.
In a key defensive play during the seventh inning, Makani Tanaka threw out a runner at home plate to complete a double play after catching a fly ball to center field, keeping Oral Roberts within one run.
The Salukis extended their lead in the eighth inning with another home run, bringing the final score to 4-2.
Andrew Evans earned his first win of the season for Southern Illinois by pitching five innings and allowing two runs on four hits while walking two batters and striking out two.
For more updates about ORU Baseball, fans can follow them on social media or visit www.ORUAthletics.com.
